40 
MISSIONARY LIFE 
CHAPTER XIY. 
DECEPTIONS. 
There is no end to their deceptions on foreign- 
ers ; and often their pretenses have so much show 
of reality that the most discriminating are shame- 
fully humbugged. Sometimes their plans are laid 
far ahead, and with so much skill, tact, and cun- 
ning that one must be wide awake to keep out 
of their meshes. "When they set themselves for 
guileful ends they never draw back until they suc- 
ceed, unless absolutely compelled to do so. 
They cheat in the sale of nearly every article 
they sell to white persons, if not closely watched; 
and the only restraint they seem to feel in the 
matter arises from the fear of detection and pun- 
ishment. 
An old sea-captain, who had been spending his 
winters on the south and west coasts of Africa 
for many years, told me he had known them to 
manufacture a mixture of clay, water, and oil 
which much resembled the palm-oil, and sell for 
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